Ecotoxicity of marine sediments: Sampling and laboratory artifacts and their impacts on risk classification

Assessing the ecotoxicological risk of marine sediments is now a critical factor in deciding how to treat dredged material in harbor and coastal areas. Although ecotoxicological analyses are routinely required by some regu-latory agencies in Europe, laboratory skills necessary to perform them are often underestimated. According to the Italian Ministerial decree No. 173/2016, ecotoxicological tests are performed on the solid phase and elutriates, and the classification of sediment quality is defined using the "Weight of Evidence" (WOE) approach. However, the decree does not provide adequate information regarding the preparation techniques and laboratory skills. As result, a wide variability among laboratories occurs. An error in the classification of ecotoxicological risk has a negative impact on the whole environmental quality and/or the economy and management of the interested area. Thus, the main aim of this study was to determine if such variability can affect the ecotoxicological out-comes of tested species and WOE associated classification, producing different options for the management of dredged sediments. Four different sediment types were selected to assess the ecotoxicological responses and their changes as a function of variability of the following factors: a) the storage time laps (STL) for both the solid phase and the elutriates; b) the methods used to prepare the elutriates (centrifugation vs. filtration), and the conser-vation method used for the elutriates (freshly prepared vs. freezing). Results suggest a wide variability of eco-toxicological responses among the four sediment samples here considered, differentiated according to chemical pollution, grain-size texture, and macronutrient contents. The storage time laps significantly affect the physi-cochemical parameters and the ecotoxicity of both the solid phase test and elutriates. For the elutriates prepa-ration, centrifugation is preferred to filtration to preserve a better representation of sediment heterogeneity. Freezing of elutriates does not seem to show any significant effects on the toxicity. Findings allow to define a weighted schedule of the storage time of sediments and elutriates useful for laboratories to scale analytical priority and strategies related to different sediment types

Ecotoxicological Assessment of "Glitter" Leachates in Aquatic Ecosystems: An Integrated Approach

The most worrisome fraction within plastic pollution is that of microplastics (MP). A category of MP almost completely ignored is that of glitter. The objective of this study is to test the toxicity of nine types of glitter leachate (3 soak times: 3, 90 and 180 days) on model organisms in freshwater (Allivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna) and saltwater (Allivibrio fischeri, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Paracentrotus lividus). An integrated approach was applied to obtain the percentage of ecotoxicological risk. The results show that (i) photosynthesizing primary producers are the most sensitive trophic level; (ii) algae transitioned from growth inhibition to biostimulation; (iii) D. magna showed higher sensitivity after 48 h compared to 24 h; (iv) A. fischeri responded more strongly in saltwater than in freshwater. The integrated data show a greater risk associated with the marine environment, with the highest risk for glitters that are hexagonal and composed of poly-methyl-methacrylate. Our multivariate analysis shows that the toxicity of plastic leaching is a complex phenomenon that depends on the sensitivity of the species, in some cases on the soaking time and on the medium, and is not clearly linked to the polymer type, the contact area or the colors of the particles

Impact of global change on environmental hazards of different clays: A case study on Aliivibrio fischeri

The effects of global change in marine ecosystems are expected to lower pH from the current 8.1-7.5-7.0, which will have significant impacts on marine species. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the ecotoxicity of ten different natural clays change significantly in response to the acidification process and what factors are associated with the observed changes. In this study, the ecotoxicological response of a bacterium (Aliivibrio fischeri) was tested under current (pH= 8.1) and acidified (pH 7.5 and 7.0) conditions. The ecotoxicity detected in the solid phase test (SPT protocol) and in the contact water was affected by the pH, which increased the ecotoxicity from 2/10 clays (pH 8.10) to 7/10 clays (pH 7.00), also shifting the detected effects from low to high toxicity values. The analyses performed on the natural clays studied show that pH can affect the release of metals, metalloids and rare earths from the clays into the contact water phase, affecting the toxicity observed. This phenomenon depends on the type of clay and is closely related to its mineralogical composition. As consequence, in a globally changing scenario, ecotoxicity, even of natural materials such as clay, cannot be considered stable, but must be accurately revaluated depending on the mineralogical and chemical composition of the clay. Moreover, the mineralogical composition of clays showed different efficiency in absorbing bacteria on the surface of clay particles. It was found that live bacterial cells were absorbed on the clay surface in numbers that were dependent on both clay types and pH levels

Intra-Laboratory Calibration Exercise for Quantification of Microplastic Particles in Fine-Grained Sediment Samples: Special Focus on the Influence of User Experience

An intra-laboratory calibration to quantify microplastic in fine-grained marine sediments was performed with two objectives: (a) to determine the recovery rate of self-produced microplastics characterized by a size ranging from 220 µm to 5 mm and differing in color (pink, orange, gray, yellow, silver), shape (fragments, filaments, spheres, films), and chemical composition (polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polypropylene, poly(methyl methacrylate)) artificially introduced into real samples; and (b) to analyze whether operator experience can be a key factor in the quality of the results. To answer this question, the same protocol was assigned to an experienced and an inexperienced operator. The results of this comparison are detailed in terms of root mean square and percent error. Possible strategies to increase the recovery rate are presented, and an ad hoc category, namely “glitter”, was created to adjust the results with respect to this unique type of microplastic usually ignored and excluded from the analysi

Looking for Nano- and Microplastics in Meiofauna Using Advanced Methodologies

: Meiofauna (body size within 30–1000 µm) are the community of microscopic invertebrates that live at the bottom of marine and freshwater ecosystems and play a key role in the food webs of these environments. Several studies have addressed the adverse effects of anthropic stressors on meiofauna; however, data on the presence and impact of plastic debris in wild meiofaunal organisms are scant. Since the amount of microplastic waste in sediments may surge rapidly, ascertaining the ingestion of these xenobiotics by the abundant micrometazoan community is necessary to understand their potential accumulation in aquatic food webs and their hazard to the health of the ecosystem. The absence of documentation in this regard may be due to the difficulty in detecting the small size of the plastic fragments meiofauna may potentially ingest. To overcome this difficulty, we developed an integrated approach based on different microscopic/spectroscopic techniques suitable for detecting plastic particles of sizes down to 200 nm.Meiofauna (body size within 30–1000 m) are the community of microscopic invertebrates that live at the bottom of marine and freshwater ecosystems and play a key role in the food webs of these environments. Several studies have addressed the adverse effects of anthropic stressors on meiofauna; however, data on the presence and impact of plastic debris in wild meiofaunal organisms are scant. Since the amount of microplastic waste in sediments may surge rapidly, ascertaining the ingestion of these xenobiotics by the abundant micrometazoan community is necessary to understand their potential accumulation in aquatic food webs and their hazard to the health of the ecosystem. The absence of documentation in this regard may be due to the difficulty in detecting the small size of the plastic fragments meiofauna may potentially ingest. To overcome this difficulty, we developed an integrated approach based on different microscopic/spectroscopic techniques suitable for detecting plastic particles of sizes down to 200 nm

A review of lifestyle and environment risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is one of the deadliest cancers known and its incidence is increasing in the developed countries. Because of the lack of biomarkers that allow early detection and the tendency of the disease to be asymptomatic, the diagnosis comes often too late for effective surgical or chemotherapy intervention. Lifestyle factors, that may cause common genetic modifications occurring in the disease, interfere with pancreatic physiology or function, and play a role in PaCa development, have been of concern recently, since a strategy to prevent this severe cancer is needed. This review identifies the latest evidences related to increased risk of developing PaCa due to dietary habits such as high alcohol, fructose and red or processed meat intake, and pathological conditions such as diabetes, obesity and infections in addition to stress and smoking behaviour. It aims to highlight the importance of intervening on modifiable risk factors: the action on these factors could prevent a considerable number of new cases of PaCa

The First Evidence of the Water Bioremediation Potential of Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel 1923): From Threat to Resource?

Each year, a staggering 700,000 tons of synthetic dyes are manufactured globally, leading to the release of dye-laden wastewater into aquatic systems. These synthetic dyes resist biodegradation, endangering human and environmental health. Since traditional wastewater treatments are basically unable to remove dyes, exploring the potential of alternative solutions, such as bioremediation, is crucial to reduce dye contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel 1923), listed as one of the 100 worst invasive species in Europe, is considered an invasive ecosystem engineer capable of causing economic and ecological losses. Despite this negative status, the literature suggests its positive contributions to aquatic ecosystems as habitat former and water bioremediator. However, existing evidence on the potential of F. enigmaticus to improve water quality is fragmented and lacks experimental data from laboratory tests. This study examined the potential of Ficopomatus reefs, both living and dead, to enhance water quality by removing contaminants, focusing on methylene blue (MB), one of the most common synthetic dyes. Bioaccumulation and bioadsorption were identified as key mechanisms for dye removal, supported by ATR-FTIR and microscopic analyses. Ficopomatus efficiently removed up to 80% of MB within 24 h. Bioaccumulation in the soft body accounted for 18% of the total removal, while complex adsorption phenomena involving carbonaceous, microalgal, and organic reef components accounted for 82%. Surprisingly, bioremediated solutions exhibited significant effects in ecotoxicological tests on bacteria, indicating the potential of F. enigmaticus to disrupt bacterial quorum sensing related to biofilm formation, and suggesting a possible antifouling action. This study underscores the intricate interplay between F. enigmaticus, water quality improvement, and potential ecological consequences, stressing the need for further investigation into its multifaceted role in aquatic ecosystems

Short-term physiological and biometrical responses of Lepidium sativum seedlings exposed to PET-made microplastics and acid rain.

Abstract Plastics enter in terrestrial natural system primarily by agricultural purposes, while acid rain is the result of anthropogenic activities. The synergistic effects of microplastics and acid rain on plant growth are not known. In this study, different sizes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and acid rain are tested on Lepidium sativum, in two separate experimental sets. In the first one we treated plants only with PET, in the second one we used PET and acid rain together. In both experimentations we analyzed: i) plant biometrical parameters (shoot height, leaf number, percentage inhibition of seed germination, fresh biomass), and ii) oxidative stress responses (hydrogen peroxide; ascorbic acid and glutathione). Results carried out from our experiments highlighted that different sizes of polyethylene terephthalate are able to affect plant growth and physiological responses, with or without acid rain supplied during acute toxicity (6 days). Short description This study showed that different sizes of PET microplastics affect physiological and biometrical responses of Lepidum sativum seedlings, with or without acid rain; roots and leaves responded differently

Can alexithymia be assessed through an interview in adolescents? The Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia: Reliability, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and relationships with emotional-behavioral symptoms

Alexithymia is connected to adolescents' psychopathology, but the current methods of assessment present limitations. The Toronto Structured Interview for Alexithymia (TSIA) was developed to overcome the limits of the main used self-rating scale in adults, but no studies investigated its feasibility with adolescents. This study involved 95 community adolescents aged 12–19 years. Adolescents were assessed with the TSIA, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Verbal Comprehension Index of the WISC-IV for verbal skills, and the Child Behavior Checklist and Youth Self Report for emotional-behavioral symptoms. The aims were to investigate the TSIA internal consistency, concurrent validity with the TAS-20, discriminant validity with participants' verbal skills, and relationships with emotional-behavioral symptoms. TSIA showed good internal consistency, concurrent validity with the TAS-20 (except for factor DDF), and independence by participants' verbal skills, but few relationships with emotional-behavioral symptoms. In conclusion, TSIA showed some good psychometric proprieties but little convergence with research findings obtained with the TAS-20, suggesting the need for further research to check the feasibility of using the TSIA with adolescents. Meanwhile, a precautionary multi-method assessment of alexithymia is recommended

Litter in alien species of possible commercial interest: The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896) as case study

Marine litter levels were measured in the stomach contents, hepatopancreas, and gonad tissues of crustacea decapod (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896; n\ua0=\ua06), a widespread alien species affecting the Lesina lagoon. Results highlight a mean of 2.5 (SD\ua0=\ua01.6) items/animal and indicate the presence of metals fragments (13%) and plastics (13% PE; 6.7% PET) in the stomach contents of collected individuals. No microplastic particles were detected in the hepatopancreas or in muscle tissue, while microplastic fibres (nylon, rayon, polyester) were found present in female specimen gonads. The presence of synthetic fibres in the investigated species reflects the relative contamination level in this habitat type and suggests that the blue crab could be considered a model organism for evaluating the contamination status of the study area